Al-Mustafa International University The Quran: Contemporary Studies 2981-0566 1 2 2023 02 01 A Critique of the Article “God and His Attributes” in the Encyclopedia of the Qur᾽ān (EQ) A Critique of the Article “God and His Attributes” in the Encyclopedia of the Qur᾽ān (EQ) 6 20 7682 10.22034/qns.2023.7682 EN Babak Mashhadi Ph.D. Student of Quran and Orientalism, al-Mustafa International University, Qum, Iran Muhammad-Ali Rizaei-Isfahani Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Al-Mustafa International University, Qum, Iran Journal Article 2023 02 20 The article “God and His Attributes,” written by Gerhard Böwering, is one of the entries of Brill Encyclopaedia of the Qur’ān, which despite its scholarly merits, has some weaknesses. This research tries to analyze specific weak points with a descriptive-analytical method, based on authentic Islamic sources so that the doubts are identified and answered. Some of the shortcomings of this article include a lack of thorough and genuine attitude toward the concept of God, His Attributes, His Best Names, and certain Qur᾽ānic concepts such as the meaning of al-raḥma, the formation of the skies, and the Prophet’s ascension (miʿrāj) to heaven. The writer shows that Bowering’s attitude toward the topics mentioned above is influenced by his probing about the peri-Islamic milieu, his view about the Qur’ān as a text written and edited by the Prophet, and early Sunni exegeses and hadith collections without analysing their authenticity or their compatibility with scientific findings. Bowering’s attitude towards the Qur᾽ān has resulted in certain judgments about the content and form of this Divine book which are distant from the sublime spirit of the Qur᾽ān which is a revelation both in concepts and wordings. As long as the orientalists such as Bowering are not enlightened to the revelatory nature of the Qur᾽ān, one should not expect a thorough and realistic attitude towards the Qur᾽ān and its teachings. The article “God and His Attributes,” written by Gerhard Böwering, is one of the entries of Brill Encyclopaedia of the Qur’ān, which despite its scholarly merits, has some weaknesses. This research tries to analyze specific weak points with a descriptive-analytical method, based on authentic Islamic sources so that the doubts are identified and answered. Some of the shortcomings of this article include a lack of thorough and genuine attitude toward the concept of God, His Attributes, His Best Names, and certain Qur᾽ānic concepts such as the meaning of al-raḥma, the formation of the skies, and the Prophet’s ascension (miʿrāj) to heaven. The writer shows that Bowering’s attitude toward the topics mentioned above is influenced by his probing about the peri-Islamic milieu, his view about the Qur’ān as a text written and edited by the Prophet, and early Sunni exegeses and hadith collections without analysing their authenticity or their compatibility with scientific findings. Bowering’s attitude towards the Qur᾽ān has resulted in certain judgments about the content and form of this Divine book which are distant from the sublime spirit of the Qur᾽ān which is a revelation both in concepts and wordings. As long as the orientalists such as Bowering are not enlightened to the revelatory nature of the Qur᾽ān, one should not expect a thorough and realistic attitude towards the Qur᾽ān and its teachings.

http://qns.journals.miu.ac.ir/article_7682_85d13da1f101cc8e5500715f54f39a88.pdf

Al-Mustafa International University The Quran: Contemporary Studies 2981-0566 1 2 2023 02 01 A Novel Critical Approach to the Leiden Encyclopedia of the Qurʾān (EQ) A Novel Critical Approach to the Leiden Encyclopedia of the Qurʾān (EQ) 22 43 7680 10.22034/qns.2023.7680 EN Muhammad-Javad Eskandarlou professor of Al-Mustafa international university Journal Article 2023 02 20 In this article, after briefly introducing the Leiden Encyclopedia of the Qurʾān, where we mention the strengths and merits of this work on the Qurʾān, its structural and methodological problems are first addressed. Subsequently, the most important problems with the content of this encyclopedia are deliberated and discussed in a logical manner with complete references and documentation. In this way, through the use of descriptive and analytical methods, the shortcomings and methodological errors in Islamic and Qurʾānic studies are identified and explained. In this article, after briefly introducing the Leiden Encyclopedia of the Qurʾān, where we mention the strengths and merits of this work on the Qurʾān, its structural and methodological problems are first addressed. Subsequently, the most important problems with the content of this encyclopedia are deliberated and discussed in a logical manner with complete references and documentation. In this way, through the use of descriptive and analytical methods, the shortcomings and methodological errors in Islamic and Qurʾānic studies are identified and explained.

http://qns.journals.miu.ac.ir/article_7680_fdec63e791fd70a45c7e965e4399bb25.pdf

Al-Mustafa International University The Quran: Contemporary Studies 2981-0566 1 2 2023 02 01 Assessing the Credibility of Twelver Shii Exegetical Hadiths in the Educative Life of the Prophet Shuʿayb Assessing the Credibility of Twelver Shii Exegetical Hadiths in the Educative Life of the Prophet Shuʿayb 44 64 7681 10.22034/qns.2023.7681 EN Ali Almasi Member of the academic staff of Kashan University of Medical Sciences Department of Islamic Studies Sepideh Razi Ph.D. in Islamic Philosophy, University of Isfahan. Journal Article 2023 02 25 The existence of many hadiths quoted from the Infallible Imams that provide exegeses of Quranic verses makes one of the greatest treasure troves for the correct interpretation of the verses in the Shii school. As the hadiths pertaining to the Quranic stories are mixed with or accompanied by Israelite and fake accounts, it has become difficult to distinguish the correct versions from the wrong ones. Therefore, checking the authenticity of these hadiths paves the ground for understanding the Quranic stories better. In this research, an attempt has been made with regard to verses 84 to 95 of Sura Hūd, the preaching and prophetic life of prophet Shuʿayb (Jethro) in the form of six separate titles with regard to the hadiths presented about these verses in hadith-based tafsir books and by scrutinising their chain of transmission. In general, what has been reported about the story of the prophet Shuʿayb in the hadith-based exegeses is correct, except for a few minor cases, all owing to the existence of some reporters whose reliability has not been ascertained. This research seeks to propose a method similar to what jurists (faqihs, fuqahā) have followed for authenticating hadiths, to propose a method to evaluate and separate credible hadiths from other hadiths in interpretation so that this hadith-based treasure can be used more authentically. The method applied in this research is fundamental (bunyādī), documentary (isnādī), with interdisciplinary data analysis. The existence of many hadiths quoted from the Infallible Imams that provide exegeses of Quranic verses makes one of the greatest treasure troves for the correct interpretation of the verses in the Shii school. As the hadiths pertaining to the Quranic stories are mixed with or accompanied by Israelite and fake accounts, it has become difficult to distinguish the correct versions from the wrong ones. Therefore, checking the authenticity of these hadiths paves the ground for understanding the Quranic stories better. In this research, an attempt has been made with regard to verses 84 to 95 of Sura Hūd, the preaching and prophetic life of prophet Shuʿayb (Jethro) in the form of six separate titles with regard to the hadiths presented about these verses in hadith-based tafsir books and by scrutinising their chain of transmission. In general, what has been reported about the story of the prophet Shuʿayb in the hadith-based exegeses is correct, except for a few minor cases, all owing to the existence of some reporters whose reliability has not been ascertained. This research seeks to propose a method similar to what jurists (faqihs, fuqahā) have followed for authenticating hadiths, to propose a method to evaluate and separate credible hadiths from other hadiths in interpretation so that this hadith-based treasure can be used more authentically. The method applied in this research is fundamental (bunyādī), documentary (isnādī), with interdisciplinary data analysis.

http://qns.journals.miu.ac.ir/article_7681_d9f39a6099d80568a1f3a4127127ece3.pdf

Al-Mustafa International University The Quran: Contemporary Studies 2981-0566 1 2 2023 02 01 Criticism of the Theory of Historicity of the Quran by Focusing on the Quranic Thoughts of Imam Khamenei Criticism of the Theory of Historicity of the Quran by Focusing on the Quranic Thoughts of Imam Khamenei 65 78 7688 10.22034/qns.2023.7688 EN Ruhollah Salarian - Muhammad-Husayn Muhammadi assistant professor, Al-mustafa international university, Qum, Iran. Journal Article 2023 03 19 Historicism means the limitation of the Quran and its teachings to the recent era and being influenced by the cultural conditions of that community. The limitation of religion and its teachings to the recent era, the ineffectiveness of religion for today's society, and the relativism of the understanding of the Quran are among the important results of this theory. The negative consequences of this theory make the necessity of its criticism clearer. In addition, knowing the foundations and thoughts of Imam Khamenei in comparison to this theory can be considered as a correct and reliable Quranic and Islamic basis. Therefore, in addition to criticizing the arguments of the historicists' view of the Quran, the present article is organized such that it also studies the views of Ayatollah Khamenei in this regard. This research shows that historical verses, occasions of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), and apparent contradictions of some verses with scientific findings are the main reasons for historisists' claims. The Holy Quran never accepted the superstitions and false cultures of its era. In addition, the relation of some verses with the occasions of revelation cannot be considered proof of the historicism of the Quran. This is because there are many verses in the Quran for which there are no occasions of revelation, hence it is also necessary to distinguish between the occasions of revelation and the context of revelation. The negation of the historicism of the Quran is quite clear in Imam Khamenei's Quranic thoughts. General guidance of the Quran, comprehensiveness of Quranic teaching, and the Prophet's lifestyle are the significant reasons for the negation of historicism in Imam Khamenei's speeches. Historicism means the limitation of the Quran and its teachings to the recent era and being influenced by the cultural conditions of that community. The limitation of religion and its teachings to the recent era, the ineffectiveness of religion for today's society, and the relativism of the understanding of the Quran are among the important results of this theory. The negative consequences of this theory make the necessity of its criticism clearer. In addition, knowing the foundations and thoughts of Imam Khamenei in comparison to this theory can be considered as a correct and reliable Quranic and Islamic basis. Therefore, in addition to criticizing the arguments of the historicists' view of the Quran, the present article is organized such that it also studies the views of Ayatollah Khamenei in this regard. This research shows that historical verses, occasions of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), and apparent contradictions of some verses with scientific findings are the main reasons for historisists' claims. The Holy Quran never accepted the superstitions and false cultures of its era. In addition, the relation of some verses with the occasions of revelation cannot be considered proof of the historicism of the Quran. This is because there are many verses in the Quran for which there are no occasions of revelation, hence it is also necessary to distinguish between the occasions of revelation and the context of revelation. The negation of the historicism of the Quran is quite clear in Imam Khamenei's Quranic thoughts. General guidance of the Quran, comprehensiveness of Quranic teaching, and the Prophet's lifestyle are the significant reasons for the negation of historicism in Imam Khamenei's speeches.

http://qns.journals.miu.ac.ir/article_7688_333d7c72a65b8a73469a80e1a1296ae5.pdf

Al-Mustafa International University The Quran: Contemporary Studies 2981-0566 1 2 2023 02 01 The Holy Quran in Abdullah Yusuf Ali's English Translation: Some Reflective Remarks on its Various Versions The Holy Quran in Abdullah Yusuf Ali's English Translation: Some Reflective Remarks on its Various Versions 79 91 7685 10.22034/qns.2023.7685 EN Muhammad-Reza Fakhr-Rohani Assistant Professor, University of Qum, Qum, Iran Journal Article 2023 03 18 There have been several English translations of the Holy Quran. The earliest English translations of the Holy Quran were produced by certain leading Orientalists. Not adequately well-versed in Islamic studies, their English translations were often biased, hence utterly unreliable. This deficiency inspired Muslims to produce English translations of the Holy Quran. Abdullah Yusuf Ali was one of the early Muslim translators of the Holy Quran. Since his translation came on the market, it has received several editions, versions, and adaptations. The present, library-research paper casts a quick and critical look at Ali's English translation and what others have done on it. It is found out that some of the later-on editions of his translation lack many features of his original work. There have been several English translations of the Holy Quran. The earliest English translations of the Holy Quran were produced by certain leading Orientalists. Not adequately well-versed in Islamic studies, their English translations were often biased, hence utterly unreliable. This deficiency inspired Muslims to produce English translations of the Holy Quran. Abdullah Yusuf Ali was one of the early Muslim translators of the Holy Quran. Since his translation came on the market, it has received several editions, versions, and adaptations. The present, library-research paper casts a quick and critical look at Ali's English translation and what others have done on it. It is found out that some of the later-on editions of his translation lack many features of his original work. There have been several English translations of the Holy Quran. The earliest English translations of the Holy Quran were produced by certain leading Orientalists. Not adequately well-versed in Islamic studies, their English translations were often biased, hence utterly unreliable. This deficiency inspired Muslims to produce English translations of the Holy Quran. Abdullah Yusuf Ali was one of the early Muslim translators of the Holy Quran. Since his translation came on the market, it has received several editions, versions, and adaptations. The present, library-research paper casts a quick and critical look at Ali's English translation and what others have done on it. It is found out that some of the later-on editions of his translation lack many features of his original work. There have been several English translations of the Holy Quran. The earliest English translations of the Holy Quran were produced by certain leading Orientalists. Not adequately well-versed in Islamic studies, their English translations were often biased, hence utterly unreliable. This deficiency inspired Muslims to produce English translations of the Holy Quran. Abdullah Yusuf Ali was one of the early Muslim translators of the Holy Quran. Since his translation came on the market, it has received several editions, versions, and adaptations. The present, library-research paper casts a quick and critical look at Ali's English translation and what others have done on it. It is found out that some of the later-on editions of his translation lack many features of his original work.

http://qns.journals.miu.ac.ir/article_7685_9c9cfb726a33e6b70924536f99a107b5.pdf

Al-Mustafa International University The Quran: Contemporary Studies 2981-0566 1 2 2023 02 01 The Nature and Domain of Rational Tafsir The Nature and Domain of Rational Tafsir 92 109 7684 10.22034/qns.2023.7684 EN Husayn Alavi Mehr Professor of Quran and hadith, Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, Iran, Husayn Qasim Ph.D. Student of Comparative Interpretation of the Qur’an, Al-Mustafa International University, Qum, Iran,. Journal Article 2023 03 19 One of the most accepted and acknowledged methods by exegetes for interpreting the Quran is the “Rational Interpretation Method.” In the beginning, it was mentioned in the speeches of the Prophet and his Households. Also, it was accepted today due to the spreading of philosophical, ideological, and rational studies. Tasnim and al-Mizan tafsirs are two of the best-known examples of adopting this method. This article uses a descriptive-analytical method to study the nature and domain of rational tafsir. Based on the results of this study, different opinions about the meaning of rational tafsir were recognized. One opinion considers rational tafsir as the use of rational reasoning, while another opinion presents it the same as reason-based (ijtihādī) tafsir, and another opinion shows it as the use of one’s opinion in interpretation. One more opinion defines it as the scientific interpretation, besides that, an opinion describes it as the use of evidence and reasoning. Among all of these opinions, the most accurate is the one that explains the rational tafsir to be an interpretation of the Quran by using rational proofs. The results that are obtained by this research about rational tafsir with respect to its domain, include experimental reason, theoretical reason, and practical intellect. Rationality in interpretation has different uses, such as analyzing information, solving the obvious conflict among the verses of the Quran, meditation, and showing and explaining the intellectual messages that it contains. One of the most accepted and acknowledged methods by exegetes for interpreting the Quran is the “Rational Interpretation Method.” In the beginning, it was mentioned in the speeches of the Prophet and his Households. Also, it was accepted today due to the spreading of philosophical, ideological, and rational studies. Tasnim and al-Mizan tafsirs are two of the best-known examples of adopting this method. This article uses a descriptive-analytical method to study the nature and domain of rational tafsir. Based on the results of this study, different opinions about the meaning of rational tafsir were recognized. One opinion considers rational tafsir as the use of rational reasoning, while another opinion presents it the same as reason-based (ijtihādī) tafsir, and another opinion shows it as the use of one’s opinion in interpretation. One more opinion defines it as the scientific interpretation, besides that, an opinion describes it as the use of evidence and reasoning. Among all of these opinions, the most accurate is the one that explains the rational tafsir to be an interpretation of the Quran by using rational proofs. The results that are obtained by this research about rational tafsir with respect to its domain, include experimental reason, theoretical reason, and practical intellect. Rationality in interpretation has different uses, such as analyzing information, solving the obvious conflict among the verses of the Quran, meditation, and showing and explaining the intellectual messages that it contains.

http://qns.journals.miu.ac.ir/article_7684_4e818b8190e185dc84397305ccad3b20.pdf

Al-Mustafa International University The Quran: Contemporary Studies 2981-0566 1 2 2023 02 01 Book Review: Manṭiq-i Tafsīr-i Qur’ān (2): Rawishhā wa Girāyishhāy-i Tafsīri-ye Qur’ān [The Logic of the exegesis of the Quran (2): Exegetical Methods and Approaches to the Quran] Book Review: Manṭiq-i Tafsīr-i Qur’ān (2): Rawishhā wa Girāyishhāy-i Tafsīri-ye Qur’ān [The Logic of the exegesis of the Quran (2): Exegetical Methods and Approaches to the Quran] 110 116 7686 10.22034/qns.2023.7686 EN Babak Mashhadi PhD Candidate of Quran and Orientalists, Al-Mustafa International University, Qum, Iran Journal Article 2023 03 14 The book Manṭiq-i Tafsīr-i Qur’ān (2): Rawishhā wa Girāyishhāy-i Tafsīri-yi Qur’ān [The Logic of the Exegesis of the Quran (2): Exegetical Methods and Approaches to the Quran] (2006) written by Dr. Muḥammad-ʿAli Rezaei-Esfahāni provides a comprehensive exploration of the diverse methods and approaches employed in Quranic exegesis (tafsīr). Structured across nine chapters, it elucidates the multifaceted nature of tafsir, offering a systematic guideline for understanding and producing interpretations relevant to contemporary readers. The text begins by defining tafsir, method, and approach, and identifies factors such as the Quran’s nature, syntax, and the exegetes’ backgrounds that contribute to interpretive diversity. Exegetical methods are categorized into incomplete (e.g., Quran-by-Quran, hadith-oriented, scientific, allusive, and intellectual) and comprehensive methods, with the individual opinion-oriented method deemed invalid. Approaches are classified based on religious denominations, theological doctrines, exegetical expertise, and temporal contexts. Each chapter delves into specific methods—Quran-by-Quran, hadith-oriented, intellectual, scientific, allusive, and individual opinion-oriented—detailing their definitions, histories, scholarly perspectives, and criteria for authenticity. The comprehensive method, which integrates multiple valid approaches, is highlighted as essential for a holistic tafsir. The book concludes with an analysis of exegetical approaches, including thematic and sequential styles, and explores the relationship between Quranic tafsir and hermeneutics, offering insights into contemporary tafsir scholarship. The book Manṭiq-i Tafsīr-i Qur’ān (2): Rawishhā wa Girāyishhāy-i Tafsīri-yi Qur’ān [The Logic of the Exegesis of the Quran (2): Exegetical Methods and Approaches to the Quran] (2006) written by Dr. Muḥammad-ʿAli Rezaei-Esfahāni provides a comprehensive exploration of the diverse methods and approaches employed in Quranic exegesis (tafsīr). Structured across nine chapters, it elucidates the multifaceted nature of tafsir, offering a systematic guideline for understanding and producing interpretations relevant to contemporary readers. The text begins by defining tafsir, method, and approach, and identifies factors such as the Quran’s nature, syntax, and the exegetes’ backgrounds that contribute to interpretive diversity. Exegetical methods are categorized into incomplete (e.g., Quran-by-Quran, hadith-oriented, scientific, allusive, and intellectual) and comprehensive methods, with the individual opinion-oriented method deemed invalid. Approaches are classified based on religious denominations, theological doctrines, exegetical expertise, and temporal contexts. Each chapter delves into specific methods—Quran-by-Quran, hadith-oriented, intellectual, scientific, allusive, and individual opinion-oriented—detailing their definitions, histories, scholarly perspectives, and criteria for authenticity. The comprehensive method, which integrates multiple valid approaches, is highlighted as essential for a holistic tafsir. The book concludes with an analysis of exegetical approaches, including thematic and sequential styles, and explores the relationship between Quranic tafsir and hermeneutics, offering insights into contemporary tafsir scholarship.

http://qns.journals.miu.ac.ir/article_7686_cbb8a420ccebc7750fdcf2b5acda8a1c.pdf

Al-Mustafa International University The Quran: Contemporary Studies 2981-0566 1 2 2023 02 01 Book Review: Iʻjāz-i Qurān [Inimitable, Miraculous Aspects of the Holy Quran], Book Review: Iʻjāz-i Qurān [Inimitable, Miraculous Aspects of the Holy Quran], 117 119 7687 10.22034/qns.2023.7687 EN Muhammad-Reza Fakhr-Rohani Assistant Professor, University of Qum,Qum, Iran Journal Article 2023 03 14 Dr. Sayyid Reza Moʼaddab’s Iʻjāz-i Qurān [Inimitable, Miraculous Aspects of the Holy Quran] (2011) explores the Quran’s inimitability (iʿjāz), emphasizing its unmatched linguistic, rhetorical, and miraculous qualities in Classical Arabic, surpassing all other discourses, including the Prophet Muḥammad’s. Across five chapters, the book examines the Quran’s divine miracle, supported by Quranic verses from Meccan and Medinan phases, the teachings of the fourteen Infallible Imams, and perspectives from prominent Shii and Sunni scholars, such as Sheikh al-Mufid and Muṣṭafā Ṣādiq al-Rāfiʿī. It highlights rhetorical, social, scientific, historical, and ethical miracles, including embryonic development and numerical patterns, later confirmed by science. The text also notes Western scholars’ admiration and the failure of Arab poets to rival the Quran’s eloquence, affirming its divine inimitability. Dr. Sayyid Reza Moʼaddab’s Iʻjāz-i Qurān [Inimitable, Miraculous Aspects of the Holy Quran] (2011) explores the Quran’s inimitability (iʿjāz), emphasizing its unmatched linguistic, rhetorical, and miraculous qualities in Classical Arabic, surpassing all other discourses, including the Prophet Muḥammad’s. Across five chapters, the book examines the Quran’s divine miracle, supported by Quranic verses from Meccan and Medinan phases, the teachings of the fourteen Infallible Imams, and perspectives from prominent Shii and Sunni scholars, such as Sheikh al-Mufid and Muṣṭafā Ṣādiq al-Rāfiʿī. It highlights rhetorical, social, scientific, historical, and ethical miracles, including embryonic development and numerical patterns, later confirmed by science. The text also notes Western scholars’ admiration and the failure of Arab poets to rival the Quran’s eloquence, affirming its divine inimitability.

http://qns.journals.miu.ac.ir/article_7687_82710b828ced944892643328c25db9fc.pdf